Synonyms of disputes

disputes 1 of 2

noun

plural of dispute

1

as in controversies

variance of opinion on a matter

a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controversies
• disputations
• disagreements
• debates
• differences
• contestations
• contentions
• dissensions
• difficulties
• firestorms
• conflicts
• clashes
• conflictions
• nonconcurrences
• quarrels
• arguments
• discords
• dissensuses
• collisions
• fights
• dissonances
• struggles
• misunderstandings
• altercations
• strifes
• bickers
• disaccords
• divisions
• combats
• divarications
• fallings-out
• kickups
• set-tos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreements
• harmonies
• accords
• consensuses
• acceptances
• compliances
• unanimities
• concords
• peaces

2

as in disagreements

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disagreements
• quarrels
• altercations
• controversies
• fights
• arguments
• bickers
• misunderstandings
• brawls
• squabbles
• disputations
• skirmishes
• wrangles
• imbroglios
• feuds
• clashes
• spats
• tiffs
• rows
• debates
• contretemps
• differences
• battles royal
• cross fires
• donnybrooks
• fallings-out
• rhubarbs
• tussles
• scraps
• hassles
• kickups
• argle-bargles
• set-tos
• tangles
• argy-bargies
• protests
• contentions
• objections
• vendettas
• attacks
• protestations
• dissensions
• run-ins
• logomachies
• fisticuffs
• catfights
• affrays
• melees
• fracases
• fusses
• frays
• free-for-alls

disputes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dispute

1

as in challenges

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenges
• questions
• contests
• doubts
• queries
• protests
• calls in question
• impeaches
• oppugns
• opposes
• objects (to)
• mistrusts
• fights
• resists
• kicks (about)
• combats

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• embraces
• defends
• supports
• swallows
• advocates
• backs
• promotes
• champions
• endures
• tolerates
• abides
• stomachs

2

as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily

hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bickers
• quarrels
• argues
• fights
• clashes
• squabbles
• debates
• brawls
• wrangles
• tiffs
• spats
• rows
• quibbles
• controverts
• hassles
• scraps
• locks horns
• falls out
• jars
• discusses
• brabbles
• altercates
• argufies
• mixes it up
• bandies words
• challenges
• butts heads
• contests
• contends
• dares
• protests
• tangles
• objects
• defies
• fusses
• cavils
• kicks
• nitpicks
• considers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agrees
• accepts
• consents
• coexists
• concurs
• gets along
• assents

3

as in debates

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debates
• discusses
• argues
• reviews
• talks over
• moots
• canvasses
• agitates
• bats (around or back and forth)
• bandies
• hashes (over or out)
• raises
• speaks (about)
• talks (about)
• considers
• propounds
• stirs up
• weighs
• introduces
• broaches
• talks out
• hammers out
• forges
• thrashes (out)
• deliberates
• wrestles (with)
• chews over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disputes

Noun

Sacramento City Unified School District is going through one of the most unprecedented fiscal disputes in California, one that has left even the state’s top education officials grappling with the scope of their authority and intervention. — Chaewon Chung august 16, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Deed theft often exploits grief, financial distress, inheritance disputes and the limited resources of older homeowners. — Landon Dais, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

The report also said that a single person who was tapped as a neutral negotiator between LAWA and LINXS became a de facto arbiter of disputes around large money claims who instructed LAWA to pay $97 million to LINXS. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

This area was characterized by territory disputes between the Jats, the Rohillas, and other regional powers. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Parents can reduce these disputes by planning extracurricular activities on a semester, season, or school-year basis rather than making decisions as opportunities arise. — Rebecca L. Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Finally, mediators look for ways to mitigate or end hostilities even as political disputes persist. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

The nastiness of intellectual disputes, therefore, depends in part on how people frame their positions. — Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

The space is more neutral, particularly if disputes between roommates must be mediated or there are other sensitive matters, according to Max Koskoff, associate director for regional campus programs. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Verb

Meritain strongly disputes the allegations and is vigorously defending itself against the complaint. — Melissa Lee,paige Tortorelli,scott Zamost, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Patchway disputes the allegation that it is being chased for cash by another creditor. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

These disputes pivot on questions of who is most deserving of support and protection and who is most dangerous and needs to be excluded. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

The limit was established by Congress and critics argue it cannot be removed by the agency alone — though Carr disputes that interpretation. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Sharkey disputes the notion that Elliott helped force him into early retirement after 16 years as a legislator and four years as Speaker. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026

At the start of the meeting, Robert Pearman, vice chair of the agency’s hearing board, told the community members that no one — not even Lineage officials — disputes the severity of the noxious odors. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

The petition disputes comments attributed to Gennarelli that Aubrey turned toward officers before shots were fired, alleging video shows that did not occur. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

Realbotix disputes the way some reports characterized that relationship. — Jesse Watson, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026